Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his anger surrounding the international friendly schedule warning that it may hinder Tottenham’s most important start to a season in years and his damning views may speak for every manager in football with the demands of the new season on the horizon.
Instead of a rigorous work out before the Champions League qualifier Redknapp’s squad worked so hard for last season, his players will be away on international duty just three days before the new season. The international friendly is somewhat ill-timed and when you consider Tottenham’s predicament the manager’s anger is justified.
England face Hungary at Wembley and on 11 August with a squad likely to include some of the Spurs players that travelled to South Africa and failed so miserably on the big stage.
Redknapp’s views will almost certainly be those held by other Premier League managers who may also ask why a friendly against Hungary is required. Even an incisive 3-0 victory for England would perhaps be greeted by resounding boos so soon after a disappointing World Cup campaign, there is no doubt that it would not paper over the unfathomable cracks which were brought to a nations attention.
“I won’t see them until the Friday, 24 hours before we play Manchester City. How can that be a way to prepare? We are piling in more and more games. All you can do is play and recover, play and recover.” said Redknapp.
He has every right to pose the questions about this meaningless friendly as I for one would prefer not to see the same side which were destroyed by Germany in Bloemfontein not long ago beat Hungary. It is the type of fixture which before the World Cup England would have won unconvincingly but at the same time offered hope to hordes of Englishmen praying for glory in South Africa.
At a time where managers across the land prepare their troops to do battle in one of the world’s top league, the international schedule is a recognisable hindrance which holds no meaning so soon after the World Cup and Harry is right in his pejorative judgement surrounding a sensitive subject.
The truth of the matter is, he will receive no explanation for this “crazy” fixture congestion but his furious reaction will almost certainly be reflective of other managers feelings due to the immense pressure of getting early points on the board and in this case qualifying for the Champions’ League group stages.
With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery
